Spelling Bee was based on C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E, an original play created by Rebecca Feldman and the comedy troupe The Farm. Composer-lyricist William Finn provided the score for the musical with a book by librettist Rachel Sheinkin. The Broadway production played Circle in the Square Theatre April 15, 2005-Jan. 20, 2008.

Spelling Bee earned six Tony Award nominations, including Best Score, Best Book, Best Direction, Best Featured Actor (Dan Fogler) and Featured Actress (Celia Keenan Bolger) as well as a nomination for the top prize of Best Musical. Fogler and book writer Sheinkin took home awards for their work. The original Broadway cast recording is available on Ghostlight Records.